Fungi ID | Auricularia jews ear

Eric Frei · 2nd August 2008, 09:32 AM

Unusual purplish colour fungi with a brown/grey underside, feels sort of like felt, definately makes the wood soft and punky.

Oyster fungi are gilled underneath, these clearly are not.

No stem, grows a little like ruffled cabbage.

Have two shots, one juvenile clump and one more advanced.

ID'd as Auricularia auricula-judae

Sean Freeman · 2nd August 2008, 10:11 AM

What you've got there IMO based on pics is the drying fruiting bodies of Auricularia sp or Jews ears

Sean Freeman · 2nd August 2008, 10:12 AM

Some people like to eat them (I'm not one of them)

Eric Frei · 2nd August 2008, 05:22 PM

Jews ear ... thanks Sean. And yes, common to Australia.

Taingan-daga / Auricularia auricula-judae Schrot. / Jew's ear: Philippine Alternative Medicine / Medicinal Herbs / StuartXchange

Quote:

Auricularia auricula-judae

A saprophytic fungus, growing in tree stumps in damp moist forests. Plant is formed by multi-celled hyphae extracting nutrients from decaying tree trunis or logged timber. Spores extending from the tree trunk are shaped like human ear, of variable sizes, smooth, dull brown to gray,sticky when moist, leathery when dry.

Confirms these leaders have extensive dead and decayed areas. That's pretty much half the tree for this ole poinciana.

Sean Freeman · 2nd August 2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Confirms these leaders have extensive dead and decayed areas

Well, at least at the surface, Auricularia sp can live on very small volumes of dead timber over the top of still functional wood. Not arguing that your tree hasn't got extensive decay suggested by other visual indicators...just that Auricularia sp on their own dont show much other than localised areas of dead tissue.

Garry Brockley · 2nd August 2008, 06:41 PM

Jews ear in uk is usually red or brown and we generally find it on elder bushes where they rot at the base. great colour contrast with the purple. its meant to be good for high blood pressure when eaten.

Tristan Graham · 4th August 2008, 01:26 AM

Not bad when dried then added to soups, very strong taste, look like you wouldn't want to eat them though. Pretty sure they are saprobes so perhaps growing on dead /dying stem? Pleurotus are obligate parasites I think, therefore much more harmful to the tree.

Garry Brockley · 6th September 2010, 10:54 PM

Actually that first pic is Auricularia cornea hairy jews ear not judea but hey whos counting

Eric Frei · 6th September 2010, 11:02 PM

See, you da man!

2nd August 2008, 09:32 AM	#1
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Fungi ID \| Auricularia jews ear Unusual purplish colour fungi with a brown/grey underside, feels sort of like felt, definately makes the wood soft and punky. Oyster fungi are gilled underneath, these clearly are not. No stem, grows a little like ruffled cabbage. Have two shots, one juvenile clump and one more advanced. ID'd as Auricularia auricula-judae Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist Last edited by Eric Frei; 2nd August 2008 at 05:23 PM. Reason: ID'd fungi

2nd August 2008, 10:11 AM	#2
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Fungi ID \| Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus? What you've got there IMO based on pics is the drying fruiting bodies of Auricularia sp or Jews ears

2nd August 2008, 10:12 AM	#3
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Fungi ID \| Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus? Some people like to eat them (I'm not one of them)

2nd August 2008, 06:41 PM	#6
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Fungi ID \| Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus? Jews ear in uk is usually red or brown and we generally find it on elder bushes where they rot at the base. great colour contrast with the purple. its meant to be good for high blood pressure when eaten. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

4th August 2008, 01:26 AM	#7
Tristan Graham Sappling Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kernow - UK Posts: 20	Re: Fungi ID \| Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus? Not bad when dried then added to soups, very strong taste, look like you wouldn't want to eat them though. Pretty sure they are saprobes so perhaps growing on dead /dying stem? Pleurotus are obligate parasites I think, therefore much more harmful to the tree.

6th September 2010, 10:54 PM	#8
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Fungi ID \| Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus? Actually that first pic is Auricularia cornea hairy jews ear not judea but hey whos counting __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

6th September 2010, 11:02 PM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Fungi ID \| Oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus? See, you da man! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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